Ecological land classification in the Southern Loam Hills of south Alabama

Abstract

A landscape scale classification of ecosystems was undertaken on the Conecuh National Forest and Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center in south Alabama. Nine landtypes (LTs) were identified in the study area. Each LT had a unique assemblage of plant species and environmental variables. In the Pine Hills, three LTs were identified with diagnostic species including Quercus incana, Ipomoea sp., Q. stellata, Rhus copallina, Vaccinium myrsinites, and Pityopsis graminifolia. The diagnostic environmental variables were landform index, slope, B horizon depth, percent B horizon nitrogen (N), percent A horizon fine sand, and percent A horizon silt. In the Dougherty Plain, two LTs were identified with diagnostic species including Diospyros virginiana, Elephantopus tomentosus, Vaccinium corymbosum, Lechea minor, Aristida stricta, and Q. virginiana. The diagnostic environmental variables were slope and percent B horizon fine sand. In the Wet Pine Flatwoods, four LTs were identified. The diagnostic species included Diospyros virginiana, Smilax glauca, Vaccinium stamineum, Hibiscus aculeatus, Pinus elliottii, Drosera brevifolia, Clethra alnifolia, and Aristida stricta. The diagnostic environmental variables were slope, landform index, depth to mottling, percent B horizon clay, and drainage class. The vegetation of the LTs is similar to longleaf pine ecosystems throughout the southeastern Coastal Plain.